Year in review in Intensive Care Medicine 2012. II: Pneumonia and infection, sepsis, coagulation, hemodynamics, cardiovascular and microcirculation, critical care organization, imaging, ethics and legal issues.

Journal ArticleSCOPUS: re.jSCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Enhancing Luminescence and X-ray Absorption Capacity of Eu3+:LaF3 Nanoparticles by Bi3+ Codoping

Bi3+ codoping has been proposed in this work with a twofold objective, namely, enhancing the luminescence emission of Eu3+:LaF3 nanoparticles (NPs) and increasing their X-ray attenuation capacity, with the purpose of obtaining a bimodal bioprobe for luminescence bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography. The synthesis method, reported here for the first time for LaF3 particles, allowed obtaining uniform, nonaggregated NPs using a homogeneous precipitation in polyol medium at room temperature in just 2 h. The simplicity of the synthesis method allows the large-scale production of NPs. LaF3 NPs with different Eu3+ contents were first synthesized to find the critical Eu3+ concentration, producing the highest emission intensity. This concentration was subsequently used to fabricate Bi3+-Eu3+-codoped LaF3 NPs using the same method. The emission intensity of the codoped NPs increased in more than one order of magnitude, thanks to the possibility of excitation through the Bi3+ ¿ Eu3+ energy-transfer band. The luminescence properties of the codoped NPs were analyzed in detail to find the mechanism responsible for the emission enhancement. Finally, it was demonstrated that the high atomic number of Bi3+, higher than that of lanthanides, was an added value of the material because it increased its X-ray attenuation capacity. In summary, the LaF3 NPs codoped with Eu3+ and Bi3+ presented in this work are promising candidates as a bimodal bioprobe for luminescence bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography

Ensayo metodológico de planificación física de una autovía en el Estado Miranda (Venezuela)

La planificación física con base ecológica es fundamental para desarrollar el potencial ambiental y humano de un territorio. Sin embargo, en numerosas áreas de Latinoamérica hay carencias de información territorial que dificultan estos procedimientos. En esta línea, se ha realizado un ensayo metodológico de una planificación física de una autovía hipotética. Para ello se han realizado modelos en SIG (Sistemas de Información Geográfica) de capacidad territorial, riesgos, calidad, fragilidad e impacto ambiental, que se han integrado en una síntesis de planificación territorial. El objetivo final ha sido modelizar un mapa de impedancia o fricción frente a la autovía, para aplicar un algoritmo cost distance / cost path y obtener un trazado de autovía que optimizase la capacidad del territorio y minimizase el impacto ambiental. Se ha consolidado un aprendizaje y una primera transferencia I + D dirigida a la gestión territorial y a la toma de decisiones para diversos países de Latinoamérica

Neodymium doped lanthanide fluoride nanoparticles as contrast agents for luminescent bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography

The synthesis of uniform neodymium-doped lanthanum trifluoride nanoparticles with lenticular shape and a mean diameter around 45 nm by using a homogeneous precipitation method is reported. The luminescent properties of the synthesized samples in terms of their emission spectra and emission lifetime are analyzed as a function of the Nd content to find the optimum phosphor and its suitability for luminescent imaging in the second biological window. The X-ray attenuation properties of the optimum phosphor are evaluated to investigate their additional ability as contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography. Finally, the colloidal stability of the obtained nanoparticles in physiological medium and their cytotoxicity are also analyzed to assess their aptness for in vivo bioimaging applications. En este trabajo se ha desarrollado un método de síntesis de nanopartículas uniformes de trifluoruro de lantano dopadas con neodimio, con forma lenticular y un diámetro medio en torno a 45 nm, basado en un proceso de precipitación homogénea en medio acuoso. Las propiedades luminiscentes de las muestras sintetizadas en términos de sus espectros de emisión y tiempo de vida de las emisiones se han analizado en función del contenido de neodimio (Nd) para determinar el nanofósforo óptimo y su idoneidad para la obtención de imágenes luminiscentes en la segunda ventana biológica. Asimismo, se han evaluado las propiedades de atenuación de rayos X del nanofósforo óptimo para valorar su capacidad adicional como agente de contraste para tomografía computarizada de rayos X. Por último, también se han analizado la estabilidad coloidal de las nanopartículas obtenidas en medio fisiológico y su citotoxicidad para determinar su aplicabilidad para la obtención de imágenes biológicas in vivo

Laser-Induced Crystallization of Sputtered Unhydrogenated Silicon at Low Temperatures

10-um-thick non-hydrogenated amorphous-silicon (a-Si) films were deposited at relatively high rates (_>10 Å/s) by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering (RFMS) on different large-area buffer-layer-coated glass substrates at deposition temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 300oC. These amorphous samples were subsequently crystallized by means of a continuous-wave diode laser, looking for conditions to reach liquid-phase crystallization. The influence of deposition conditions on the quality of the final micro-crystalline silicon films has been studied

Analysis of vibration impact on stability of dewetting thin liquid film

Dynamics of a thin dewetting liquid film on a vertically oscillating substrate is considered. We assume moderate vibration frequency and large (compared to the mean film thickness) vibration amplitude. Using the lubrication approximation and the averaging method, we formulate the coupled sets of equations governing the pulsatile and the averaged fluid flows in the film, and then derive the nonlinear amplitude equation for the averaged film thickness. We show that there exists a window in the frequency-amplitude domain where the parametric and shear-flow instabilities of the pulsatile flow do not emerge. As a consequence, in this window the averaged description is reasonable and the amplitude equation holds. The linear and nonlinear analyses of the amplitude equation and the numerical computations show that such vibration stabilizes the film against dewetting and rupture.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figure

Solitary skin metastasis from sarcomatoid carcinoma of the bladder: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Cutaneous metastases from carcinomas of the bladder are very rare. They are related to advanced stages of the disease and have poor prognosis with low survival rates. The common treatment modality of cutaneous metastases from a primary bladder cancer is wide local excision followed by chemotherapy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a case of solitary skin metastasis from a rare type of urinary bladder carcinoma in a 68 year-old Caucasian man. Urinary bladder carcinoma metastasizing to the skin is an uncommon finding despite the high incidence of this tumor. Skin metastasis generally presents in the late stages of this disease and indicates a poor outcome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Because of the extremely aggressive malignant potential of sarcomatoid carcinomas, the indications for a transurethral resection of the bladder should be carefully assessed and suitable therapeutic strategies should be examined further.</p

Post-Retained Single Crowns versus Fixed Dental Prostheses: A 7-Year Prospective Clinical Study

Biomechanical integrity of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is often compromised. Degree of hard tissue loss and type of final prosthetic restoration should be carefully considered when making a treatment plan. The objective of this prospective clinical trial was to assess the influence of the type of prosthetic restoration as well as the degree of hard tissue loss on 7-y clinical performance of ETT restored with fiber posts. Two groups (n = 60) were defined depending on the type of prosthetic restoration needed: 1) single unit porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns (SCs) and 2) 3- to 4-unit PFM fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), with 1 healthy and 1 endodontically treated and fiber post-restored abutment. Within each group, samples were divided into 2 subgroups (n = 30) according to the amount of residual coronal tissues after abutment buildup and final preparation: A) >50% of coronal residual structure or B) equal to or <50% of coronal residual structure. The clinical outcome was assessed based on clinical and intraoral radiographic examinations at the recalls after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 84 mo. Data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier log-rank test and Cox regression analysis (P < 0.05). The overall 7-y survival rate of ETT restored with fiber post and either SCs or FDPs was 69.2%. The highest 84-mo survival rate was recorded in group 1A (90%), whereas teeth in group 2B exhibited the lowest performance (56.7% survival rate). The log-rank test detected statistically significant differences in survival rates among the groups (P = 0.048). Cox regression analysis revealed that the amount of residual coronal structure (P = 0.041; hazard ratio [HR], 2.026; 95% confidence interval [CI] for HR, 1.031–3.982) and the interaction between the type of prosthetic restoration and the amount of residual coronal structure (P = 0.024; HR, 1.372; 95% CI for HR, 1.042–1.806) were statistically significant factors for survival (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01532947)